To periodically review a technology area
What is a Patent Monitor?
A patent watch/monitoring is a search for patents designed to provide a clear picture of progress in a specific technical field.
A Patent Watch is a tailor-made search based on technology and/or company names that will be conducted periodically depending on the client’s needs.
It is essentially a patent and technology survey that is producing a clear, sweeping view of everything that has been published during a specific period.
Why conduct a Patent Monitor?
Depending on the project, or product development and life cycle, there is a need to monitor any patent activities in a specific technical field.
A project might start with a technology survey (State-of-the-Art), Novelty, or Freedom to Operate (FTO) search. It is the first step prior to contemplating entry into a technological area or initiating an R&D project. The results of the research will often lead to a decision on monitoring parts, or all the technology in order to avoid surprises in later stages of the project, and/or product life cycle.
The Patent Monitor results will offer the client the opportunity to be up to date on changes, progress, and potential new infringements risks in the market as well as prepare in advance for a necessary response on office actions on critical competitor’s patents found in the search.
The patent surveys and subsequent Patent Monitoring is not to be confused by, or replace a dedicated and focused Freedom to Operate(FTO) search and opinion that must be conducted at later stages prior to production and product launch. In most cases, a Patent Monitor search might save a client both time and money and prevent surprises at later stages.
When to conduct the Patent Monitor?
Following on from a technology survey (State of the Art), Freedom to Operate (FTO), or Novelty search during the development period and product life cycle. The Patent Monitor can be conducted monthly, quarterly, or periodically according to the client’s needs.
How frequent is depends on how active the technology area is. We normally recommend that patent monitoring be conducted monthly or quarterly in order to avoid large amounts of documents as well as prevent missing important responses to office action dates related to a critical patent document.
Contact us or login and upload your request to receive a price offer.
